The Power of Technology in a Flipped Classroom

In 2014, the United States was ranked number 14 in Pearson’s 2014 Report on Education. In the same study, South Korea was ranked number one and many East Asian and Scandinavian countries followed behind. The reason for the U.S. lacking could be due to the educational system not providing the structure for students to fully advance in academics. In fact,in the same study, South Korea was ranked number one and many East Asian and Scandinavian countries followed behind. The reason for the U.S. lacking could be due to the education system not providing the structure for students to fully advance in academics. In fact, 1.3 million high school dropouts were recorded in 2010. High school dropouts increase the poverty rate due to people not being able to advance in their careers from the result of low education. America’s battle in education needs to be transformed in order to ensure job growth, economic development and maintain the position of a world leader.

What is the overall solution to becoming a global leader in education? In Finland, one of the top countries in education, students are allowed to choose which exams to partake in. This system promotes the ability for a diverse field of options students can choose from. Not every child learns the same way nor takes test the same. The U.S. needs to fulfill a diversity of options for students, instead of the traditional classroom approach, which limits student learning outcome because it gives you a one way learning style. How should the U.S. and the rest of the world go about transforming the current learning style to reach a diverse audience? Modern technology could be the answer because it gives students advantages to learn in their own way. Such technology needs to be integrated into the classroom in order for students to dominate in academics. One could argue that the way modern technology is being introduced to students is through an educational reform, flipped classrooms.

Flipped Classroom

Flipped classroom is a new type of learning that drives from modern technologies role of teaching. Discovered by Colorado high school teachers, Jonathan Berman and Aaron Sams in 2007, the instructors found a way to record presentations for students who missed class in order to keep he/she from getting behind. The revolutionary development paved the way for instructors to provide students with online classes taught by video presentations, podcast and online-digital interaction. In a flipped classroom students learn the content through digital platforms, such as mobile technology, before attending the class. After learning the material online, the classroom time is set for group homework and tutoring. Flipped classrooms is a foundation that is executed by the Four Pillars of F-L-I-P. The four pillars include, Flexible Environment (F), Learning Culture (L), Intentional Content (I) and Professional Educator (P).

Many traditional classrooms are rearranged to fit the instructor’s lesson plan. With mobile technology, students are more likely to learn lesson plans in an environment of mobility. Learning Culture (L) makes it to where students have the opportunity to go at their own pace through podcast, videos and web interaction. This is beneficial because it does not enforce a specific type of learning that most instructors teach. Students have the ability to enhance their creativity and focus on how to get the knowledge into their brains without being forced to. Intentional Content (I) includes a way for educators to develop content they want to teach and content they want students to discover on their own. This style of teaching tactics enhances critical thinking, which is a very important trait to posses in terms of the job market. Finally, Professional Educator (P) provides connection from educator to student. During in-class time, teachers can interact and guide their students.

Flipped Classroom Environment

In a flipped classroom, digital lesson plans provide a Flexible Environment (E) allowing students to retain information in an environment they choose. Mobile technology encourages students to do lesson plans in any location, instead of just school. The convenience of mobile technology makes for a relaxed environment where students are not pressured to finish lesson plans and can go at their own pace. Choosing your own environment to learn helps with completing the lesson plan. The convenience aspect also promotes the ability to focus.

Traditional Classrooms

Many schools are transitioning into a flipped classroom, but a higher number still remain in a traditional- style approach, which is the one size fits all strategy. The U.S. educational system remains increasingly low compared to its international counterparts and many students are suffering. High-tech learning programs need to be introduced to classrooms in order for students to properly function in today’s society. Below is a list of technological resources that provide an advantage to student’s learning outcome.

Technology Sources for a Flipped Classroom:

Mobile Devices

Students are able to interact with their lesson plans through iPads/iPhones. This type of mobile technology contains key elements that supports the flexible environment and learning culture. Mobile Devices contain the technology of mobility and personalization. Students can read books and complete interactive lesson plans with a tablet. Students viewing videos is also easily accessible when teachers recorded the lectures. Students can learn in any environment due to the mobility of mobile devices. The interaction tool that this technology carries makes it personable to any learning condition. Teachers or students can customize iPads to fit the student’s learning need. For students that do not have access to the Internet, iPads come with downloaded material ready set in place. If students need access to the Internet, they would just need to go somewhere with wifi. Schools should make it possible for kids to check out iPads if they do not have access to other to computers. This will in fact give responsibility to students and promotes trust, which influences students self confidence. The biggest factor, mobile devices save schools money and time. With a mobile device you have a calculator, paper, ink and the internet in one. When students learn the material through modern technology, time is increased in class for homework. For more information on mobile devices in education, visit Apple’s iPad for Education.

Podcast

Teachers should create a podcast to support lesson plans with audio. With podcast, students have the ability to pause or skip material that they need a better clarification of. The most beneficial aspect of podcast is, like iPads, they cut schools cost because it minimizes the usage of other content like emails and taking notes. They are time efficient due to the convince of listen to the audio anywhere. Having a lecture created through a podcast creates more time to understand the material through interactive lesson plans. Podcast can be created by software tools like Audacity, Garage Band, Podomatic and Odiogo. Check out podcast in education for more information.

Virtual Games

Virtual Games gives students options to learn the material in an entertaining way. Many students have tendencies to zone out or not pay attention in traditional classrooms. Virtual Games promoted a creative way to learn that will keep students engaged and interactive. Educational games have been a powerful strategy in student’s consumption of knowledge. 2015 Interactive SXSW brought in speakers who represented the educational learning style of virtual games at the Gaming Expo. Psychological, gaming aids in improving motor skills, reducing stress, improves vision and decision making skills. Check out the Seven Health Benefits of Playing Video Games. For more on how virtual games help students learn, check the USNews & World Report.

Conclusion

In a traditional classroom, students often struggle in learning the material, which leads to losing confidence in students academic future. In a flipped classroom, students learn the material in their own way at their own convenience. Another advantage to a flipped classroom is the diverse teaching of technology that students need for real world experience. Flipped classrooms teach students technology skills in the usage of mobile devices and the different applications that are installed. Students also learn critical teaching and problem solving skills from virtual games.

Schools may not 100% change into flipped classrooms but integration of modern technology does need to take place in order to acquire a higher standard of achievement. The U.S. has the capability of becoming a top leader in education, but reformation needs to take place. The introduction of modern technology in the classroom will open up various markets to students. The U.S. education system first must make the change in order to succeed academically.